Parcel identification device



Filed Oct. 4, 1962 2 J6 ll United States Patent O Filed oct. 4, 1962, ser. No. 228,419

6 claims. (cl. 40-21) c t This invention relates to an improved parcel identification device, and more particularly to an improvedparcel identification device of the type `which is attached to a parcel by the checker, a portion of the device being removed and given to the person checking the parcel, the detached portion of the device containing identifying indicia corresponding to indicia on the portion of Vthe device remaining with the parcel. c

There area variety of parcel identification devices presently utilized by organizations providing parcel checking services. A commonly used form of sucha device is a cardboard tag, a portion of which is removable and serves as a claim check, the other portion being attached the strip is disposed and locked in the reinforced circular portion of the opening in substantially transverse relation with respect tothe plane of the opening.

When the curved edges of` the reinforcedportion of the strip arein engagement with the margin of the reinforced -substantially circular` portion of the opening in t the parcel engaging portion of the strip, a loop is formed to the parcel by a length of string which has been passed c,

through a reinforced holetin one end` of, the 4tag and knotted to form a loop. Another form of conventional parcel identification devices comprises a cardboard strip which is foldable'on itself and is provided with a gummed area at one end thereof by which portions of the device may be glued together for retention `on` the parcel. p

` Although such forms of parcel identification devices satisfactorily accomplish their l intended function, they have certain significant disadvantages, Vparticularly from an economic standpoint, which make their utilization an important cost item, especially in large-scalemparcel checking operations. The unfavorableeconomic considerationsinvolved in the utilization of such conventional parcel identification devices can, in the main, be attributed to the multiplicity of operations required in their fabrication and to the need for cost increasing materials such as, for example, strings, gums, `adhesives and the like.` While such cost factors seemingly are insignificant on a per item basis, when viewed in the light of a large-scale checking operation, they `assume significant proportions.

It is an object of thisinvntion to provide an improved parcelidentification device whichcan be manufactured at a minimal cost, which is"si1nple and eli'icientutoy use, and which is rugged enough to withstandthe 'rough handling frequently encountered in parcel` checking operby the parcel engaging portion and an area of the rein- `forced portion of the strip. The loop portion of the strip is retained on the handle, for instance, of the parcel, alongwith the non-detachable part of the identifying indicia carrying portion of the strip. The unitary oonstruction of the device of the present invention, together with the` simplicity of its design, make it` exceedingly economicalfto manufacture, and easy andefficient ,tol use. `These andother objects, advantages and features of the invention will manifest themselves upon making reference to the specification to follow, the claims and the accompanying drawing in which: t

FIG. 1Y a fragmentary view inelevation showing an embodiment `of the parcel identification device of t this invention applied to a parcel prior to' the removal of the portion ofthe device to be given to the person checking the parcel; c FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of` said embodiment of the parcel identification device;

FIG. 3 is a view` in perspectiveshowing the manner lin whichsaid embodiment of the parcel identification device is looped around the handle of a parcel to be` checked; FIG. 4V is a view in perspective illustrating thesaid embodiment of the parcel identification device in its secured position on the handle of a parcel to be checked, the detachable portionof the device being still in position thereon;

FIG. 5 is a side view in elevation of said embodiment of the parcel identification device illustrating the relative positions of the` reinforced areas thereof when the device c hasbeen placed on a parcel to be checked;

ations. Further oby'hects and advantages of thepresent` invention will become apparent,` as the `description'proceeds.

l Briefly, the parcel identification device of the present invention Vcomprises a tiexibleyunitary, elongated strip,

having a parcelA engaging poftion, an-identifying indicia 21.1

carrying portion and a reinforced portion desirably having inwardly curved edges. t The identifying "indicia carrying portion of the strip advantageously is perforated to enable a part thereof to be. removed and given to the person checking the parcel.` The parcel engaging portion 'of the strip advantageously `has an opening longitudinally disposed therein proximal to oneend thereof, The opening, which has a configuration suggestive ofthat of a c key-hole, desirably comprisesanarrow, elongated portion joined to a substantially `circular portion of greater diam- 1 eter than the narrow, elongated` portion. The area of the parcel engaging portion of the strip adjacent the substantially circular portion of the opening advantageously is reinforced to provide added strength characteristics. The opening is of `sufficient length and width to receive margin of the reinforced substantially circular portion of the opening. In this position,`the reinforced portion of c andretained by the person checking the parcel.

FIG. 6 isa plan view of said embodiment of the parcel identification device; FIG. 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of the parcel identification device of the present invention; FIG, 8 is' a plan View of yet another embodiment of the `parcel identification deviceof the present invention; and FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a further embodiment of the parcel identification devicet-of'thepresent invention.

Referring now tothe drawing, and in parteularto FIGS. 2 and 6 thereof, the embodiment of the parcel identification device of the present invention, there illustrated and designated `generally at 10, advantageously comprises a unitary, elongated rectangular strip of ilexible, semi-rigid material which may be cardboard, heavy paper, plastic, or the like, having a parcel engaging member or portion 11 and au identifying indicia carrying member `or portion 12 between whichy is provided a connecting member or reinforced portion 13. VThe edges 14 of the portion 13 advantageously are curved inwardly for reasons that will `be made clear as the description proceeds.

Theidentify'ing carrying portion 12 of the str ip 10 desirably is perforatedas shown at 15, thereby providing a detachable claim check 16 to be removedlby the checker The identifying indicia appearing on the claimcheck 16 and the non-detachable stub 17 of the identifying indicia carrying portion 12 of the strip will, of course, correspond thereby facilitating identification of the parcel when it is claimed.

The parcel engaging portion 11 of the strip 10 advantageously has an opening 20 longitudinally disposed therein. Desirably the opening 20 is positioned proximal to the free end of the portion 11 and comprises a narrow, elongated area or portion 21 which is continuous with a centrally disposed substantially circular area or portion 22 of greater width than the portion 21. The length of the opening 20 is sufficient to permit the free end of the identifying indicia carrying portion 12 to be inserted therein and to enable the portion 12 to be drawn therethrough. The substantially circular portion 22 of the opening 20 is of suflicient width to permit the inwardly curved edges 14 of the portion 13 to snugly engage the peripheral margin 23 of the portion 22 to enable the reinforced portion 13 to be disposed therein in substantially transverse relationy with respect to the plane of the opening 20.

In FIG. 7 there is illustrated another embodiment of the parcel identification device of the present invention. In this embodiment of the device, the inwardly curved edges 14 of the reinforced portion 13 are joined to inwardly extending or tapering edge portions 25 of the identifying indicia carrying portion 12 of the strip 10. This construction facilitates positioning of the reinforced portion 13 in the substantially circular portion 22 of the opening 20.

Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawing, still another embodiment of the parcel identication device of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the narrow, elongated portion 21 of the opening 20 is provided at its juncture with the substantially circular portion 22 with outwardly diverging margins 26 which join with the peripheral margin 23 of the portion 22. As in the previously described embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 7, this construction of the opening 20 facilitates engagement of the inwardly curved edges 14 of the reinforced portion 13 with the portion 22 of the opening 20.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 9, the narrow, elongated portion 21 of the opening 20 is angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the strip l10. This construction of the opening 20 facilitates insertion of the free end of the identifying indicia carrying portion 12 of the strip 10 through the opening 20, and, in addition, enables the portion 12 to be more easily drawn therethrough and facilitates engagement of the edges 14 of the portion 13 with the portion 22 of the opening 20.

In each of the embodiments of the device described hereinabove, a section 30 of the parcel engaging portion 11, adjacent the portion 22 of the opening 20,y advantageously is reinforced. Reinforcement of this area of the strip, as well as of the portion 13, is desirable in order to achieve a reasonably rigid, secure and snug interlock between the edges 14 of the portion 13 and the cooperating margin 23 of the portion 22 of the opening 20. Reinforcement of the section 30 and the portion 13 may be accomplished in any manner known in the art. In the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawing, this is achieved by simply superimposing, as by gluing, paper of suitable thickness over the appropriate areas of the strip 10.

In utilizing the parcel identification device of the present invention, it is only necessary to loop the device around the handle 31 of the parcel 32 in the manner shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, and insert the free end of the identifying indicia carrying portion 12 of the strip through the opening 20 in the parcel engaging portion 11 thereof. The free end of the identifying indicia carrying portion 12 of the strip is then drawn through the opening 20 until the inwardly curved edges 14 of the reinforced portion 13 are therewithin. The portion 413 is then turned to engage the edges 14 with the margin 23 of the substantially circular portion 22 of the opening 20. In this position, as indicated hereinabove, the reinforced portion 13 is disposed and locked in substantially transverse relation with respect to the plane of the opening 20. The enclosed area or loop formed in this manner is freely movable on the handle of the parcel and yet cannot be dislodged therefrom even by the roughest handling of the parcel. The inherent resiliency of the strip tends to maintain the portions 11 and 13 in their interlocked position on the parcel 31, and to resist forces which tend to disengage the edges 14 from their snug contact with the margin 23.

The claim check 16 of the portion 12 of the device may be separated along the perforations 15 either after the device is in position on the parcel being checked, or before. In removing the portion of the device retained on the parcel, the person checking the parcel, after the return thereof to him, need only tear the strip off, or, in the event the strip is made of a non-readily tearable material such as plastic, the reinforced portion 13 need only be turned to disengage it from its edge contact with the margin 23 of the substantially circular portion 22 of the opening 20, and the stub 17 of the identifying indicia carrying portion 12 withdrawn from the opening 20,

The parcel identification device of the present invention is extremely durable and rugged. Referring to FIG. 5, the interlocking relationship of the reinforced areas of the strip is clearly shown. This arrangement provides the strip with maximum strength characteristics at the areas thereof likely to encounter the greatest stresses in the event, for example, the stub 17 of the strip is grasped inadvertently during the handling of the parcel. The effect of such a force on the device of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. The inherent flexibility of the device enables it to compensate for any normal pulling force on the stub 17. Further, tear-preventing, resistance is provided by the interlocked areas, namely, reinforced portion 13 and section 30. The device of the present invention has been demonstrated to be capable of withstanding stresses of the order of approximately 30 pounds, more or less. In a normal checking operation, however, forces of such magnitude are generally not encountered and, therefore, the likelihood of the device becoming dislodged from the parcel is remote.

The embodiments of this invention provide efficient, inexpensive, and effective means for checking parcels of substantially any size and description, and while they have been described with reference to specific structural features, various modifications therein will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art and may be adopted without departing from the broader spirit and aspects of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A parcel identification device comprising a flexible, unitary, elongated strip of predetermined length, width, and thickness, the strip having a parcel engaging portion and an identifying indicia carrying portion, the identifying indicia carrying portion being perforated to permit a part thereof to be detached, the strip further having a reinforced portion between the parcel engaging and identifying indicia carrying portions, the reinforced portion having inwardly curved edges joined to inwardly extending edge portions of the identifying indicia carrying portion, the parcel engaging portion of the strip having a key hole shaped opening longitudinally disposed therein proximal to the free end thereof, an area of the parcel engaging portion surrounding the opening being reinforced, the opening including an enlarged substantially circular hole merging with an elongated open slot having opposed sides which are spaced a distance greater than the thickness of the strip and a length which in conjunction with the size of the circular hole provides the opening with a length greater than the width of the strip, the opening being of sufficient size to receive the free end of the identifying indicia carrying portion and to enable the identifying indicia carrying portion to be freely drawn therethrough and the substantially circular hole of the opening being of sufficient Width to receive the reinforced portion between the-parcel engagingand `identifying indicia carrying portions of the strip to permit the reinforced portion to be disposed in the substantially `circular hole of the opening in substantially transverserelation with respect to the plane of the opening, the parcel engaging portion ofi the strip defining with an'area of the reinforced portion of the strip a loop throughrwhich a part of the parcel passesl and which together with the non-detachable portion of the identifying carrying portion is retained on the parcel.

2. A parcel identification device comprising a `flexible, unitary, elongated strip of predetermined length, width, and thickness, the strip having a parcel engaging portion and an identifying indicia carrying portion, the identifying indicia carrying portion being perforated to permit a part thereof to be detached,-the strip further having a reinforced portion between the parcel engaging and identify ing indicia carrying portions, the reinforced portion hav ing inwardly curved edges, the parcel engaging portion of the strip having a key hole shaped opening longitudinally disposed therein proximal to the free end thereof, an area of the parcel engaging portion surrounding the entire opening being reinforced, the opening including an enlarged substantially circular hole merging with an elongated open slot having opposed sides which are spaced a distance greater than the thickness of the strip, which diverge for a portion of their length and join the margins of the circular hole, and which are of a length which in conjunction with the size of the circular hole provides the opening with a length greater than the width of the strip, the opening being of sufficient size to receive the free end of the identifying indicia carrying portion and to enable the identifying indicia carrying portion to be freely drawn therethrough and the substantially circular hole of the opening being of sufficient width to receive the reinforced portion between the parcel engaging and identifying indicia carrying portions of the strip to permit the reinforced portion to be disposed in the substantially circular hole of the opening in substantially transverse relation with respect to the plane of the opening, the parcel engaging portion of the strip defining with an area of the reinforced portion of the strip a loop through which a part of the parcel passes and which together with the non-detachable portion of the identifying carrying portion is retained on the parcel.

3. A parcel identification device comprising a flexible, unitary, elongated strip of predetermined length, width,

and thickness, the strip having a parcel engaging portion and an identifying indicia carrying portion, the identifying indicia carrying portion being perforated to permit a part thereof to be detached, the strip further having a reinforced portion between the parcel engaging and identifying indicia carying portions, the reinforced portion having inwardly curved edges, the parcel engaging portion of the strip having a key hole shaped opening longitudinally dis-` posed therein proximal to the free end thereof, an area of the parcel engaging portion adjacent the opening being reinforced, the opening including an enlarged substantially circular hole merging with an elongated open slot having opposed sides which are `spaceda distance greater than the thickness of the strip, are angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the parcel engaging portion of the strip and have a length greater than the width of the circular hole, the opening being of sucient size to receive the free end of the identifying indicia carrying portion of the strip and to enable the identifying indicia carrying portion to be freely drawn therethrough and the substantially circular hole of the opening being of suicient width to receive the reinforced portion between the parcel engaging and identifying indicia carrying portions of the strip to permit the reinforced portion to be disposed in the substantially circular hole of the opening in substantially transverse relation with respect to the plane lof the opening, the parcel engaging portion of the strip defining with an area of the reinforced por- 6 `tion of the strip a loop through which a partof the parcel passes and which together with the` non-detachable portion of the identifying carrying portion is retained on the parcel. p

4. A parcel identification device comprising a flexible, unitary, elongated strip of predetermined length, width, and thickness, a portion of the strip being reinforced, the edges of the reinforced portion extending inwardly for at least a segment of their length, the strip further having a key-holeshaped opening longitudinally disposed therein, an area of the strip surrounding the opening being reinforced, the opening including an enlarged substantially circular hole merging with an elongated open slot having opposed sides which are spaced a distance greater than the thickness of the strip and a length which in conjunction with the size of the circular hole provide the opening with a length greater than the width of the strip to freely receive the reinforced portion of the strip and to permit the inwardly extending edges thereof to be disposed in the circular hole of the opening in substantially transverse relation with respect to the plane thereof to form an enclosed area through which a part of the parcel passes and which is retained on the parcel, a portion of the strip being detachable for retention by the person checking the parcel.

5. A parcel identification device comprising a flexible, unitary, elongated strip of predetermined length, width, and thickness, the strip having a parcel engaging portion and an identifying indicia carrying portion, the parcel engaging portion having la reinforced portion at one end thereof and a substantially key-hole shaped opening longitudinally disposed at the other end thereof, the reinforced portion having inwardly extending edges, the opening in the parcel engaging portion including an enlarged substantially circular hole merging with an elongated open slot having opposed sides which are spaced a distance greater than the thickness of the strip, which diverge for a portion of their length and join the margins of the circular hole, and which are of a length which in conjunction with the size of the circular hole provides the opening with a length greater than the width of the strip to freely receive the reinforced portion and to permit the inwardly extending edges thereof to be disposed in the circular hole of the opening in substantially transverse relation with respect to the plane thereof to form an enclosed area through which a part of the parcel passes and which is retained on the parcel, and area of the strip surrounding the entire opening also being reinforced, the identifying indicia carrying portion of the strip being perforated to permit a part thereof to be detached.

6. A parcel identification device comprising a flexible, unitary, elongated strip of predetermined length, width, and thickness, having a parcel engaging portion and an identifying indicia carrying portion, the parcel engaging portion having notched side edges Aadjacent one end thereof and a substantially key-hole shaped opening substantially longitudinally disposed yadjacent the other end thereof, the substantially key-hole shaped opening including an enlarged substantially circular hole merging with an elongated open slot having opposed sides which are spaced a distance greater than the thickness of the strip and a length which in conjunction with the size of the circular hole provides the opening with a length greater than the width of the strip to freely receive the strip so as to permit quick insertion of the strip through the substantially longitudinally disposed key-hole shaped opening and to permit the notched side edges of the strip to be disposed in the circular hole of the opening in substantially transverse relation with respect to the plane of the strip to form an enclosed area through which a part of the parcel passes and which is retained by interlocking of the notched side edges and the Vcircular hole of the substantially key-hole shaped opening on the parcel, an area of the strip surrounding the key-hole shaped opening also being reinforced, the identifying indicia carrying portion of the strip being perforated to permit a part thereof to be detached.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 626,198 5/1899 Wheelock 40-21 735,451 8/1903 Birch 40-27 2,701,601 2/1929 Young 40-27 8 2,095,481 10/ 1937 Skopec 40-21 2,098,164 11/1937 Rice 40--21 2,642,684 6/ 1953 Watts 40-21 FOREIGN PATENTS 434,921 2/1912 France.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD V. BENHAM, JEROME SCHNALL,

Examiners. 

1. A PARCEL IDENTIFICATION DEVICE COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE, UNITARY, ELONGATED STRIP OF PREDETERMINED LENGTH, WIDTH, AND THICKNESS, THE STRIP HAVING A PARCEL ENGAGING PORTION AND AN IDENTIFYING INDICIA CARRYING PORTION, THE IDENTIFYING INDICIA CARRYING PORTION BEING PERFORATED TO PERMIT A PART THEREOF TO BE DETACHED, THE STRIP FURTHER HAVING A REINFORCED PORTION BETWEEN THE PARCEL ENGAGING AND IDENTIFYING INDICIA CARRYING PORTIONS, THE REINFORCED PORTION HAVING INWARDLY CURVED EDGES JOINED TO INWARDLY EXTENDING EDGE PORTIONS OF THE IDENTIFYING INDICIA CARRYING PORTION, THE PARCEL ENGAGING PORTION OF THE STRIP HAVING A KEY HOLE SHAPED OPENING LONGITUDINALLY DISPOSED THEREIN PROXIMAL TO THE FREE END THEREOF, AN AREA OF THE PARCEL ENGAGING PORTION SURROUNDING THE OPENING BEING REINFORCED, THE OPENING INCLUDING AN ENLARGED SUBSTANTIALLY CIRCULAR HOLE MERGING WITH AN ELONGATED OPEN SLOT HAVING OPPOSED SIDES WHICH ARE SPACED A DISTANCE GREATER THAN THE THICKNESS OF THE STRIP AND A LENGTH WHICH IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SIZE 